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youTheology is an opportunity for youth to explore and experience their faith through worship, service, study, travel, and a mentoring relationship. Each year up to twenty Pan-Methodist high school youth from the Midwest are selected through a nomination and application process to be part of a community of "youTheologians." Participants have the opportunity to ask questions and reflect theologically on their beliefs, today's culture, and the Methodist heritage. The youtheology program provides experiential engagement in spiritual disciplines to equip youth to live out their faith at all times and empowers youth to assume leadership within church and society, now and in the future.
After an orientation retreat for youth and mentors in August, youth participants will gather during the school year for two additional weekend sessions at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri, and one in a rural context. The year culminates in June of the next year with a ten-day National Pan-Methodist Pilgrimage to the East Coast. The closing weekend is in July.
Orientation Retreat
Local mentors and youTheologians gather for basic group-building, experiencing the Wesleyan notion of personal and social holiness, an intentional focus on Christian vocation as both professional ministry and the ministry of the baptized, the history of American Methodism, and the opportunity to help determine specific topics to be studied in the winter and spring weekend sessions.
Weekend Sessions
Each focuses on a single topic and is guided by seminary/community resource persons. There is a hands-on ministry opportunity in a rural area related to the topic and time to reflect theologically following these experiences. Each weekend includes worship, small group time, and study of Methodism, as well as opportunities to interact informally with "spiritual role models"--those who embody integrated spirituality in daily life--such as area pastors, church workers, lay persons, and Saint Paul faculty, staff, and students.
Between Sessions
Participants interact in person with their local mentors and on-line with other participants and program staff to reflect on their experience at the previous weekend session and prepare for the next one.
Pilgrimage to the East Coast
More than a sight-seeing tour, the ten-day national Pan-Methodist Pilgrimage to the East Coastprovides the opportunity to explore, learn, worship, sing, pray, and serve in historic locations that are fundamental to the roots of Methodism.
Final Project
With guidance from local mentors, fellow participants, seminary faculty, and program staff, youth do a project to share with their local congregation what they have experienced and learned during the year.
If you're a high school youth who wants to ask challenging questions about your beliefs, today's culture, and the United Methodist Church, youTheology is for you.
If you want to make a difference with your life and live out your faith in today's world, youTheology is for you.
If you wonder what impact the church can make in the world, youTheology is for you.
Once accepted, youth pay an initial $250 registration fee. Thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment and support from donors the rest of the program, including the national Pan-Methodist, is free to accepted applicants.
Begin by filling out an application and finding two adults to submit references on your behalf. For forms and more details, check out the Application Process + Forms link at the top of this page.
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